Mother's warning after 'scary' tumble dryer fire

A mother has said her daughter has been left terrified after the pair had to flee their home due to a fire that started in their tumble dryer.

Leanne Haynes, who has limited movement due to a nerve condition, said she was woken by her carbon monoxide alarm after her dryer started smoking just weeks before Christmas.

Fortunately, her carer was asleep on the sofa of her home in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and was able to drag the dryer out of her home before it burst into flames.

Ms Haynes has since called on homeowners to make sure they know how to properly maintain their white goods.

The fire started at about 04:00 GMT on 10 December when the tumble dryer suffered a suspected electrical fault and started smoking.

"Seeing the smoke was horrible – but the worst part was the flames – and watching how the fire engulfed the tumble dryer so quickly," she said.

"It was one of the worst things I've ever had to go through.

"It's really taken a toll on my daughter, and she's scared it's going to happen again and is constantly checking all the plug sockets are turned off.

"We even didn't have candles at our Christmas table because of her fear of fire now."

After the fire, Ms Haynes said she had rethought how she maintains her white goods.

Now, every night, she ensures they are turned off at the plug, after receiving advice from charity Electrical Safety First.

Their chief executive Lesley Rudd, said: "To reduce the chances of a fire, make sure you regularly clean lint filters on dryers and register appliances so that if they are recalled you can be contacted by the manufacturer.

"Fires can be particularly dangerous if they happen when you are sleeping, so if you can, avoid running your appliance at night as your ability to respond quickly to a fire will be decreased."

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